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I got to work early this morning for a judicial conference call, and while waiting for said call to begin, I checked the usual blogs including Sara Z.'s. I read with interest her response to being "tagged" about books, and then saw that she in turn had tagged me. (I've never been tagged before - at least in the blogosphere anyway). Here goes:
1. One book that changed your life: The Bluebook, A Uniform System of Citation. It changed the way I write - and cite. I also think of Ayn Rand's Fountainhead quite often in a "how would Howard Roark handle this" kind of way.
2. One book that you’ve read more than once: Recapitulation, Wallace Stegner. I read it when I was 19 and the writing was so beautiful that I got a highlighter out and marked sentences. Highlighting fiction was something new to me.
3. One book you would want on a desert island: The Boy Scout Handbook. Seriously.
4. One book that made you laugh: Super Fudge, Judy Blume. Actually, all of the Judy Blume books.
5. One book that made you cry: There must be loads, but for the life of me, I cannot think of one right now.
6. One book I wish had been written: An unauthorized biography of any one of my grandparents or great-grandparents.
7. One book you wish had never been written: Each and every book Ann Coulter ever derived a profit from.
8. One book you are currently reading: Peyton Place, Grace Metalious. And I'm not technically reading it - I downloaded it from iTunes onto my iPod and I listen to it when I run, walk to work, drive, etc. I only buy unabridged audiobooks and this is a long one.
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: The Alchemist, Paul Coehlo.
10. Tag five people: vt, b-lo, georgeory, sister, and aunt's bff. And really, anyone else that would like to demonstrate their literacy.
EDIT: I FORGOT THE CLEVEREST PERSON I KNOW, STELLA! I think I was subconciously afraid she would show us all up.
posted by h.justin @ 8:03 AM
6 Objection(s)!
6 Comments:
1. One book that changed your life: The Pilgrimage, Paulo Coelho. All of his early books were life changing for me.
2. One book that you’ve read more than once: Glamorama by Bret Easton Ellis. It’s disturbing and shocking and totally sucked me in.
3. One book you would want on a desert island: Letters of the Century: 1990-1999. This anthology of actual letters is such a interesting way to experience history. (Will there be enough letters written in the next century to compile an anthology? I guess it will have to be an anthology of blogs so keep up the good work H. Justin.)
4. One book that made you laugh: Ralph’s Party by Lisa Jewell. It’s an easy, mindless read, plus it’s British, so that makes it tops in my book (pun intended.)
5. One book that made you cry: I just read Edie: American Girl. It’s a biography of Edie Sedgwick. I knew she died young but I wasn’t prepared for how sad I’d be when I got to that point in the book.
6. One book I wish had been written: Winning Lottery Numbers (I’d like to be the first to review the manuscript.)
7. One book you wish had never been written: Every diet book ever.
8. One book you are currently reading: Personal History by Katherine Graham.
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: A Course in Miracles. I’ve started it but it may take a miracle to finish.
Thanks for the compliment, Justin. However, two kids and excessive use of my Ti-faux have severely limited my reading, which makes me sad. But, here goes:
1. One book that changed your life:
The Book of Mormon. I truly believe it's why I'm so bitter and cynical. And why I have such a tenuous relationship with my parents.
2. One book that you’ve read more than once:
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. I was on a kick in high school when I would read it 2 or 3 times a year. Now, I can't remember why I liked it so much.
3. One book you would want on a desert island:
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky. I love the language and sentence structure. I think I could read it over and over get more out of it everytime.
4. One book that made you laugh:
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. The chapter, "Jesus Shaves", when he's trying to explain to concept of American Easter to his French Class kills me.
5. One book that made you cry:
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns.
6. One book I wish had been written: I really, really can't think of one right now.
7. One book you wish had never been written:
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. It was so forced and contrived to me. I'm still irritated that I finished the whole thing. If anyone ever tells me that it's their favorite book, my first thought is, "Gee, you don't get out much, do you?"
8. One book you are currently reading:
King Dork by Frank Portman. I love, love, love this book. I think it's going to be one of my all-time favorites.
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read:
The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho. Apologies to b-lo, you lent this to me 2 years ago and I still haven't finished it.
b-lo and stella thanks for posting your picks. I loved them all. And I don't know why the others didn't post theirs. I guess "tag" isn't their game.
I need to say that I meant to say "The Pilgrimage" by Paul Coehlo rather than "The Alchemist." Like stella, b-lo loaned me that book over two years ago and so far it's been really good as a coaster. Actually, I really did start it, just didn't get too far into it before something else captured my attention.
"I need to say that I meant to say . . ." Man, I sound like on of Ava's monkeys.
1. Book that Changed My Life: If a there has been a book that has "changed my life" it was probably Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones's Diary. It turned me on to Brit Lit, and that has gotten this girl through a lot of shit.
2.Read More than Once: An Italian Affair by Lara Fraser. Loved it before my marriage fell apart and even more so afterward.
3. On a Desert Island: Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. I haven't read it in years and without glamour magazines/US Weekly, I would be focused enough to do it again.
4. Made Me Laugh: Melissa Bank's The Wonder Spot. I didn't want it to end. Why doesn't anyone else think it is as hilarious as I do?
5. Made Me Cry: The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. The first half is so good, the last half so bad; but the sheer grief of it all made me teary.
6. Book I Wish Had Been Written: I asked Sister Jamie this question because I couldn't come up with an answer. She said, without hesitation, "Memoirs of Katie Holmes." I have to agree. I'd be all over that.
7. A Book I Wish Hadn't Been Written/Written Better: TOM The Unknown Tennessee Williams by Lyle Leverich. Terrible.
8. Currently Reading: The Girl Who Walked Home Alone: Bette Davis, A Personal Biography. Betty was so wise. Too bad the book is not that good. Also, Peyton Place on itunes courtesy of HJ.
9. Meaning To Read/Finish: The Pinochet Files: A Declassified Dossier on Atrocity and Accountability. I just can't seem to get into it.
Bette was wise. Although I'm sure there's a wise Betty out there as well. Drr.
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